Genetic modification has evolved significantly over the years and although it began with little knowledge on the subject it has gained momentum. The research and technologies gone into this biotech field is vastly important to fully understanding the upbringing of genetic engineering.
Early Advances In Genetic Modification
1750-2000
1797 -
Edward Jenner inoculates a child with a viral vaccine to defend against smallpox
1863 -
Gregor Mendel discovers genes while studying pea plants
1911 -
Peyton Rous discovers the first cancer causing virus
Alexander Fleming discovers the first antibiotic, penicillin
1928 -
Alexander Fleming discovers the antibiotic, penicillin, which can be used to treat fatal bacteria infections. (Image Citation 12)
Selman Waksman discovers another antibiotic, streptomycin, which is effective against tuberculosis
1944 -
1950 -
Livestock can now be inseminated (made pregnant) artificially using frozen semen
1953 -
James Watson's and Francis Crick's manuscript regarding the double helix structure of DNA is published
1966 -
It is discovered that a codon (three nucleotide bases) determines each of the 20 amino acids
The double helix structure of DNA discovered by Watson and Crick resembles a twisted ladder. (Image Citation 13)
1977 -
DNA can now be read using the technique of electrophoresis
1981 -
Genetic Engineering News (GEN) begins being published by Mary Ann Liebert
1982 -
The first recombinant drug, insulin, is produced using genetic engineering
1983 -
Ti-engineered plants are produced by passing foreign traits through use of the Ti plasmid
The Ti plasmid derived from Agrobacterium tumefaciens can be used to transfer foreign genes between plants (Image Citation 14)
1994 -
The FlavrSavr tomato becomes the first genetically engineered food to be commercialized
1996 -
Dolly the sheep is cloned from an adult somatic cell
1998 -
First GM labeling rules are introduced to provide information regarding the use of GM ingredients in food
Recent Advances In Genetic Modification
2000-2013
Technology Timeline
2001 -
President George W. Bush limits stem cell research by banning new embryonic stem cell lines
2002 -
New vaccines reduce the risk of infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV)
2003 -
The Human Genome Project is complete and covers almost 99% of the human genome regions
2004 -
A National Academy of Sciences study concludes that there are no serious health effected connected to genetically modified foods
The Human Genome Project becomes a base for all human genome regions for years to come. (Image Citation 16)
2006 -
A plant-made vaccine produced by Dow AgroSciences is approved
2009 -
Iowa State University publishes a draft of the maize genome
(Text Citations 11, 12, 48)
A draft of the maize (corn) genome was published in 2009. (Image Citation 57)